System and method for training and managing Internet guides

ABSTRACT

A collaborative Internet data mining system for facilitating a group effort from a plurality of guides to the Internet, by automatically processing the information provided by the guides and thereby create a branded or uniform look and feel to the web sites supported by the plurality of guides.

This patent application seeks priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/037,852, entitled "Collaborative Internet DataMining System," filed Feb. 7, 1997, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety and it is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/129,843, filed Aug. 6, 1998, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/019,924, entitled "Collaborative Internet DataMining System," filed Feb. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,010 hereinalso incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The 1990's have been remarkable for the explosive growth of the Internetfrom an specialized system used by academia to a widespread medium forthe transfer of information and electronic commerce.

The "Internet" was developed in the 1970's with funding from theDepartment of Defense to interconnect university computer systems. Untilrecently, Internet usage was largely confined to academic circles tosend e-mail, chat and access remote files and computer resources. TheInternet application programs to perform e-mail, chat and the remoteaccess of data were, in large part, command intensive and did notprovide an easy to use graphical user interface.

The explosive growth of the Internet has been fueled, in large part, bythe development and wide adoption of the HyperText Transfer Protocol(HTTP). HTTP is the Internet protocol used to transfer documents andother Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) type data betweensystems. HTTP is the protocol on which the World Wide Web ("the web") isbased. To the Internet user, the web is an easy to use graphical userinterface that provides "point-and-click" access to data from anenormous number of remote computers.

The communication technology of the web can be explained by analogy tothe Open System Interconnect Model (OSI) for computer communication.HTTP resides above the Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol(TCP/IP) layers and provides a transfer protocol between the web serverand the browser client. TCP/IP divides networking functionality intoonly four layers: (1) a network interface layer that corresponds to theOSI link layer, (2) an Internet layer which corresponds to the OSInetwork layer (3) a transport layer which corresponds to the OSItransport layer and (4) an application layer which corresponds to thesession, presentation and application layers of the OSI model. The webbrowser (client) may correspond to the application layer of the OSImodel and Hyper-Text Markup Language may correspond to the presentationlayer.

The Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) is the software language in whichmost of the web is written. HTML is basically ASCII text surrounded byHTML commands in angled brackets. HTML commands are interpreted by a webbrowser to determine how to display a web page.

The web, as a whole, is made up of web page servers and web browsersthat provide a hardware and operating system independent environment. Aweb browser is an application program that interprets and displays HTMLpages. The web is hardware and operating system independent because ofthe common HTTP and HTML protocols and languages used between the webservers and the browser client applications.

HTML web pages usually contain links or HyperText that point to otherHTML pages on the web. By pointing and clicking on these links, a usercan skip or "surf" from page to page on the web.

A primary function of a web browser is to display the page located at anUniversal Resource Location (URL) address. A URL is an address thatincludes the protocol to reference the data, the system path and datafilename. The data file addressed by the URL data filename is located ona server.

One aspect of the way in which HTML supports the display of data isthrough the support of "frames." Frame support can be defined as theability of a web browser to split the browser display area into separate"framed" display areas. Each display area, or frame, can containinformation from a separate web page and/or point to a separate URLaddress. Frames can be created to present the user with a simultaneouscoordinated presentation of multiple frames while maintaining thelook-and-feel of a single web page.

Another feature in most web browsers is the ability to "bookmark" apage. Typically, the web browser stores a plurality of bookmarked pagesin a non-volatile storage mechanism where they may be retrieved when thebrowser is reactivated. A bookmark is a reference to a single URLaddress.

The use of bookmarks presents a problem for web pages that are designedfor display as multiple coordinated, or framed, web pages. A bookmark isa reference to a single URL address. A frame based web page, however,simultaneously displays multiple URL addressed web pages. Therefore, abookmark created when viewing a frame based web page stores only one URLaddress, where multiple URL addresses are required to properly displaythe frame based data. When the user attempts to re-access the page withthe bookmark, the browser display will only load one frame, whichprovides only part of the coordinated framed presentation of data.

Another service found on the web is the ability to search forinformation. Search services such as Yahoo™, Excite™, Lycos™, Infoseek™and Hotbot™ provide a means for searching web pages and otherinformation on the Internet that return references to URL address of webpages and other data that satisfy the search criteria. For the mostpart, these search services use a keyword search to find web pages andother information that satisfies the search request.

The web has created a forum that provides a very low cost way to publishinformation, views and opinion. This inexpensive way to publishinformation has resulted in an explosion in the amount of data availableon the web. Ironically, the success of the web has created its ownproblems, namely how to separate informed views and authoritativeinformation from uninformed views and unreliable information. Thepresent invention addresses this problem by providing useful, novel andnon-obvious methods and apparatus to point to and find qualityinformation available on the Internet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for managing,implementing and creating a collaborative Internet data mining system.The collaborative data mining system is comprised of many human "guides"that maintain web sites on their respective topic areas. The guides mayuse conventional search services, their own knowledge and judgment andtheir knowledge of where information may be found on the Internet toconstruct high quality and authoritative web pages. The collaborativedata mining system uses automated methods and apparatus to process theweb pages created by the guides. The processing automatically "brands"the web pages by inserting uniform characteristics and information intothe pages. The system may then sell advertising on the branded networkand remunerate the guides based on predetermined criteria.

More specifically, the collaborative data mining system is accomplishedthrough a unique computer based methodology for (1) selecting, trainingand policing Internet guides for pre-determined topic areas, (2)processing pre-determined forms, formats and commands to createco-branded web pages that provide a coordinated look and feel acrossmany web pages and (3) an automated revenue distribution system forcompensating guides based on a predetermined performance measurements.

One aspect of the present invention provides an automated system for usein conjunction with a pre-determined form or template based methodologyto generate web pages that automatically maintain the simultaneous andcoordinated presentation of framed based data.

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of server sideincludes to replace "hard coded" HTML with references to "library"objects thereby increasing efficiency of the coding process, pageloading, and the propagation of changes to web pages.

Another aspect of the present invention is the creation of novelprocedures, system templates, scoring methods, and support tools toidentify and solicit quality web producers and web artists to affiliatethemselves with present invention's branded Internet server.

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of an automatedsystem for designating and managing a plurality of guides in training.

Yet, another aspect of the present invention is in a mass mentoringsystem in which to improve and develop large numbers of guides andpotential guides to improve their sites and meet the standards requiredto be a guide.

Yet, another aspect of the present invention is providing a novel,economical and expeditious way in which to maintain the highest possiblelevel of quality and compliance across a high volume network whilemaintaining low cost and efficiency in developing and manufacturinginformation "content."

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the collaborative Internet invention ashaving a guide acquisition system (2) an application processing system(4), a guide authoring system (6), a mass mentoring system (8), theglobal HTML data bank (10), a collaborative page generator system (12),an accounting system (14) and advertising database system (16), theframes system (18), the Internet in general, as denoted by reference(22), a quality control process (24), an automated training andmanagement system (25) and at least one web browser (20).

FIG. 2 shows a detailed diagram of the guide acquisition system (2). Itis understood that the elements in FIG. 2 denote processes that may beexecuted on the systems of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed diagram of the application screening system (4)in which a guide identified from the guide acquisition system (2)receives further processing to determine, inter alia, whether to selecta particular guide for guide training.

FIG. 4 shows a detail diagram of the mass mentoring system (8). Here,guides from the application processing system (4) receive training andfeedback to use the templates and achieve the performance selectioncriteria demanded by the system. The guides receive specific training inthe use of the template or pre-determined form methodology thatinteracts with the collaborative page generator system (12) and theglobal HTML data include files (10) to create on-line content.

FIG. 4A provides a detailed flow diagram of the application processingsystem and the mentoring system.

FIG. 5 shows the detailed diagram of the present invention's qualitycontrol process. Here, sites may be checked, observed and tested to"police" the performance, quality and activity of the guides of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5A provides a detailed flow diagram of the logical steps that mayexecute after a guide graduates from training.

FIG. 6 shows the detailed diagram of the frames system (18) whichprovides a means for supporting frame based data.

FIG. 6A shows a logical flow diagram to generate co-branded topologiesand sub-topologies of the collaborative internet guide system.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example of how frame based data maybe used.

FIG. 8 is a detailed diagram of the collaborative page generator (12) inwhich the global HTML data (10) and advertising data (16) are broughttogether to create page content for the frames system (18) and theInternet user at a web browser (20).

FIG. 9 shows the steps in the template production system starting fromthe guide's personal computer, through the processing steps and finallyto the live production site.

FIGS. 10, 10A-10C show a detailed diagram of the "CHEWY" process and howit is used to change the guide template to a server ready HTML page.

FIGS. 11, 11A, 11B provide a detailed diagram of the logical filestructure arrangement of the "zshare54z" shared directory structure.

FIGS. 12, 12A, 12B show a logical diagram of the directory structure fora guide site.

FIG. 13 shows a functional diagram for the automated training andmanagement system used to manage and control a collaborative data miningsystem.

FIG. 13B provides a detailed diagram of a control screen used to add anew web site to the taxonomy of a collaborative Internet data miningsystem.

FIG. 13C provides a detailed diagram of a control screen used to modifya web site, that is maintained or used with the collaborative datamining system.

FIG. 13D provides a detailed diagram of a control screen used to add anapplication to the training system.

FIG. 13E provides a detailed diagram of a control screen used to modifyan application in the system.

FIG. 13F provides a detailed diagram of an ATMS control screen to groupnew applicants into classes and assign graduation dates.

FIG. 13G provides a detailed diagram of a control screen that may beused to modify account information.

FIG. 13H provides a detailed diagram of additional fields for thecontrol screen provided in FIG. 13G.

FIG. 13I provides a detailed diagram of a control screen that may beused to keep track and/or control part of the mentoring program.

FIG. 13J provides a detailed diagram of a control screen that may beused to control and/or track contract information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a means for providing a"brand name" look and feel to a plurality of web pages by using framesto provide a consistent banner across the pages that reside on thenetwork regardless of how a user "surfs" into the network. This aspectof the present invention provides a brand look and feel to the networkwhile maintaining the ability to randomly surf to a web page ofinterest.

FIG. 1 provides an overview of the system elements of the collaborativedata mining system. The present invention achieves its co-branded lookand feel through the use of the guide authoring system (6), inconjunction with the collaborative page generator system (12) and theframes system (18). The guide authoring system (6) provides a guide withpredetermined templates that are developed in conjunction with theglobal HTML data (10) and the frames system (18). The templates aredeveloped by creating a finished web page and then removing the globalbrand elements and replacing them with "include" comments. The remainingpage, with global sections replaced with the "include" comments andsection blocked off for the guide to insert content form the basis for aHTML template.

Another aspect of the present invention is its ability to locate a verylarge number of Internet savvy guides in a short period of time throughthe guide acquisition system (2). The guide acquisition system isrepresented as block 2 in FIG. 1 and works in conjunction with theapplication processing system (4), the guide authoring system (6), themass mentoring system (8) and the Automated Training and ManagementSystem or Affiliate and Taxonomy Management System (ATMS) (7). Asprovided above, guides may be contractors responsible for the content onspecific topic areas on the present invention's web sites. The guideacquisition system (2) may, under direction, contact Internet "surfers"who may be connected to the Internet. An "Internet surfer" is a personor entity that is very familiar with content available on the Internet.The present invention provides an Internet surfer with a framework forsearching the Internet, e.g., topics to search and a detailed set ofinstructions with the specifics of how to find quality sites on the web.

The present invention may use a set of standard measurements thatindicate the likelihood that a site has the qualities that will resultin a worthwhile contact for the application processing system (4). Thesurfers may send the guide acquisition system (2) screen captures oftheir search results. The screen captures may be evaluated based onpredetermined quality criteria standards.

The application processing system (4) may generate a form e-mail toguide candidates inviting them to work with the collaborative datamining system. Candidates who express an interest may be directed to theapplication processing system (4) where they may begin the applicationprocess.

The application processing system (4) may efficiently convert a largenumber of applications from its outbound guide acquisition system (2) orinbound marketing recruitment. Using conventional labor intensivemethods to review these applicants may not be cost efficient and indeedmay be cost prohibitive for the processing volume required by acollaborative data mining system. Applicants may be required todownload, complete and submit a template application. The applicationmay require the submission of individual creative content, a detailedcurricula vitae of the applicant, and answers to many questions abouttheir particular interest, background, software, equipment and the like.The application may be designed to identify and isolate the qualitiesessential to a guide. The completed applications may be downloaded,entered into a database, and screened by entry level personnel throughthe use of standardized criteria.

Another aspect of the present invention is the mass mentoring system(8). The mass mentoring system (8) may use a small team of individualsto coach and coordinate the mentoring process for large volumes ofguides and guide trainees identified and screened by applicationprocessing system (4). One-to-one development and training may beinefficient given the number of affiliates or guides needed by areasonably sized collaborative data mining system. The mass mentoringsystem (8) may employ a training process, discussed further below, whichmay last up to three weeks. During the training process the presentinvention may send out predetermined e-mails to the guides coveringspecific topics key to their development. These e-mails may bespecifically tailored to address the typical growth curve and problemsof a "proto-guide."

The mass mentoring system may establish a project schedule for trainingguides on the collaborative data mining system. The mass mentoringsystem (8) may identify weekly milestones for the process and assigntasks the guides-in-training should try to accomplish in the first week.The mass mentoring system may also schedule the guides for group chatsessions to discuss their questions and issues. The mass mentoringsystem may also establish on-line bulletin boards to post questions tothe staff at the mass mentoring system or to read the questions andanswers of other guide trainees.

Once a guide is accepted for training they may be considered"affiliates" with the collaborative data mining system. The affiliatesmay be grouped in classes and the progress of the affiliates inside theclass may be compared to others inside the class and to standardsdeveloped from prior classes. The classes give a means of peer supportand may reduce the need for staff guidance.

The facilitated communication may result in guides solving the problemsof guides. The mass monitoring system (8) may also assign an experiencedguide to each class to act as a peer mentor and give advice and/orguidance to the guides-in-training. Through this novel process, thepresent invention may mentor up to a couple of hundredguides-in-training with a staff of small mentors, which may provide aneconomical way to train many guides.

Another aspect of the present invention is the quality control process(24). The present invention employs methods and systems to identify,screen, and develop guides for its Internet service. One key toestablishing and keeping its consumer brand image for the presentinvention's network of guides is maintaining high quality standardsacross the many, many sites of the network. It may be cost prohibitiveto rely on brute force methods of one-to-one inspection and review ofindividual sites. To wit, the present invention may use new approachesto the quality control (QC) process. First, it may use methods andprogramming code to make daily automated checks for bad links, breaks instandard template requirements, file download size, and organizationalstructure of a site. Second, it may use a standardized checklist tocheck for quality issues such as proper grammar, required sitemaintenance, timeliness of content, depth of contextual links and othercriteria. The guide may receive a standardized e-mail "report card" withfeedback on their site as well as specific tips for site enhancement.

Another aspect of the present invention is the frames system (18). Theframes system (18) may provide a means for verifying that frame baseddata, or data that is formatted for presentation in framed format, is infact loaded with the appropriate coordinated frame of data.

The frame system (18) also assures that the appropriate frame set forthe designated topic is loaded. The data mining system of the presentinvention organizes data into topic areas such as, for example, healthand business. Each topic area may have sub-topics. Each topic may havemultiple pages (a "page set") contained inside a frame set. Each pagemay have a unique URL. Someone desiring to link to a page in the pageset other than the first page in the set, e.g., the topic home page,would normally use that page's URL for the link. However, a link to apage other than the topic home page may not load the frame setcorrectly. Accordingly, the page may not be viewable as intended andcould result in frame sets inside a frame set or no frame set at all.The frame system (18) provides a means for assuring that the systemsframe based data is properly loaded with the appropriate frame orframes.

Another aspect of the present invention is the collaborative HTMLprocessing and collaborative HTML page generator system (12). The datamining system of the present invention may require a clear navigationsystem across multiple interest areas and related topics. The systemarchitecture is, therefore, reasonably flat with many similarly designedpages existing at the same level. In its simplest form, the "taxonomy"of the network consists of one home area (layer 1) leading down tothirteen plus or minus interest areas (layer 2) leading down tothousands of topics (layer 3). Each layer may share certain elements ofa characteristic design across areas and topics. However, there areother elements that may vary depending on layer or topic. The time andcost to hard code each of these elements during creation or modificationmay be cost prohibitive and stifle the creative vision of the network.The collaborative page generator system (12) provides a means forprocessing data input from the guide network to produce complete HTMLdocuments for use with the live network.

A final aspect of the present invention is the automated trainingmanagement system or Affiliate and Taxonomy Management System (ATMS) (7)that provides a means for automatically tracking and managing the assetson the data mining network. The ATMS provides a report on the progressof each guide in training as well as providing a means for designatingwhich web pages and topic areas are ready for the "live" network.

The Production Process

The network production process is shown in FIG. 9. A guide who istrained to use the template system (discussed further below) createsHTML documents (804) for her topic area on her personal computer (802).The guide may upload the template based HTML documents to a directorycalled "/mcupload" (824) on a server computer (806). The uploading offiles may be accomplished with the file transfer protocol (FTP) or otherconventional methods for transferring data files.

The design container processing tool or "CHEWY" process (812) may be aWindows NT service, a UNIX deamon, or similar computer program that isdesigned to continuously execute or periodically poll the /mcuploaddirectory or equivalent directory (808). When the CHEWY process (812)finds a file in the /mcupload directory the CHEWY process may open thedocument and processes the commands contained in the file, describedfurther below, in conjunction with the container definitions (810) togenerate "completed HTML" pages. The CHEWY process may then output thecompleted HTML pages to a "test" directory (814). It is understood thatthe "test" directory may be any directory that is accessible or able tobe viewed on the guide's browsers (816). The guide may then access thecomplete HTML files to verify that the CHEWY process accurately parsedand processed the HTML template documents (804). If the guide finds aproblem in the completed HTML files, the guide may attempt to repair thecompleted HTML documents (816) or correct the template HTML documents(804) and re-submit the documents to CHEWY through the /mcupload (808)directory. Once the guide is satisfied with the completed HTMLdocuments, the guide may transfer the HTML documents to the productionsite (818). The "live" production site (820) may serve the completed andapproved HTML documents (822).

FIG. 10 provides a more detailed diagram of the CHEWY process. Once aHTML document is delivered to the /mcupload directory, the CHEWY processmay open and process the document (850). HTML document (850) may containcodes in angled brackets "<>" that may be interpreted by the CHEWYprocess, The CHEWY process may also use the HTML document filename asinformation as to what global information may be used to generatecompleted HTML pages. For example, if the filename is "mbody.htm" thename of the file designates that CHEWY "tells" the document where to getdesign information and where to insert it in the template (854). Onesource of the design information may be the shared componentsrepository--where `##` is the template version number for the"zshare##z" (858) directory, template (860) subdirectory and "##stndrd"(862) subdirectory which contains the "mbody.hi," "mbody.INChi,""mbody.INClo," and "mbody.lo" files. The CHEWY process may insert thefiles in the designated locations in the HTML page to create a web pagethat is suitable to "serve" (870). The suitable web page (870) maycontain the appropriate server side "include" commands. The HTML includecommand is like the "#include" compiler instruction for the conventional"c" programming language. When a browser accesses the web page, thebrowser may receive a HTML page that contains the HTML commandsnecessary to display a complete HTML page, e.g., the #includeinstruction may be replaced with the HTML code referenced by the#include command (874).

FIG. 11 provides a logical diagram for the file structure for the sharedfiles in the collaborative data mining invention. The "zshare##z" (858)file is shown with the subdirectories depicted one level below in theHTML (890), images (892), js (894), nav (898), notice (898), search(900), ssw (902), events (904) and template (860) subdirectories. Thesesubdirectories may in turn contain subdirectories of their own such asthe subdirectories under the images (892) subdirectories including arts,business, careers, computer, culture, family, health, bobbies, issues,living, local, sports and travel.

FIG. 12 provides an overview of a directory structure that may be usedby a guide in a collaborative data mining system. The structure may bedescribed as subdirectories depending from a root directory (912). Theroot directory (912) may be the default or starting point for the guide.The first subdirectory may be a "/library" (914) of furthersubdirectories to useful guide data, such as, weekly data (924),graphics (926), personal directories (928) and an archive directory(930). The next subdirectory may store subdirectories of informationthat is useful for the system (916). Information for the system (932)may include: a subdirectory of site specific pictures, graphics and/orimages; a subdirectory of hub specific pictures, graphics and/or images;pages used by the system; search parameters that may be useful foroutside search services to help find the site; a subdirectory for chatroom parameters; programs, and/or other chat room related data; asubdirectory for boards such as board parameters, programs, and/or otherboard related data; a subdirectory for dynamic data for programmaticallycreated web pages; a subdirectory for a template configuration file; asubdirectory for site parameters such as URL, hub and navigationparameters, a subdirectory for advertising data; a subdirectory fornavigation parameters; a subdirectory for content ratings, and a lockedsubdirectory for system only access. The guide directory structure mayinclude the upload (808) and test (918) directories described in furtherdetail herein. The guide directory structure may also have asubdirectory for guide control center information (920).

Finally, the example of a guide directory structure may include adelivery (922) directory and the zshare##z directory described furtherherein.

Thus, the present invention employs a novel method that may eliminatethe requirement to individually hard code HTML instructions at each ofits sites for different logos, colors, artwork, etc. The presentinvention may also employ a novel software approach that builds into theweb pages HTML instructions to "look for" missing site constructioninformation, e.g., the color set for the site, at the server level.During the build process, the server is "told" the topic area of thesite and the build process responds with information for insertion intoa site's HTML code. Because of this novel approach, each site can be"manufactured" without hard coding all the design elements. Thisfacilitates the scaleability of the design across many sites. It mayalso make possible collaborative work on the sites in a new way becausecertain elements of the system do not reside in the site's code butinstead reside in a server working with many sites. This methodology mayalso make it possible to propagate changes to sites or groups of sitesat the server level without the need to edit HTML code at all the sitesthereby greatly increasing design and maintenance flexibility.

The Guide Application Process

The automated guide recruitment process of the guide acquisition system(2) is further described in FIG. 2. The automated acquisition system maybegin with an assignment of priorities and topics for the outboundsearch (102). The system may also use a set of guidelines in selecting asite manager such as a predetermined academic background orpredetermined experience standards. Using these parameters, the universeof Internet sites (100) may be searched for candidates as web guides(104). A list of sites (106) is selected from the universe of Internetsites (100). The list of sites is passed (108) to a guide selectionprocess (110). The guide selection process (110) may use predeterminedsubjective or objective criteria to select potential guides. Astandardized e-mail may be issued (112) to the selected potential guide(114). The potential guide may respond (116) to the standardized e-mail(114) and request more information, decline the invitation or accept theinvitation and be invited to apply (118). When a potential guide isinvited to apply, (118) a standardized e-mail (120) may be sentconveying the invitation (120). The potential guide may reply to theinvitation (112) by declining the offer or submitting to the applicationprocess (124).

FIG. 3 may provide a diagram of the process steps used to furtherprocess a potential guide's application to the network. Prospectiveguides may enter the system and are instructed to go to the applicationsite (200). At the application site, the potential guide may receive thesite application (202). The potential guides may complete and submit theapplication (204). The application may then be objectively orsubjectively scored (210) by the data mining system and/or staff (206).The top scoring applications may be passed up for a higher level review(208). The application process may then reach a decision point (214) todetermine a course of action for the guide application. If the guideapplication appears promising, the guide applicant may be issued ane-mail urging improvement and reapplication (216). If the guideapplication does not meet the performance criteria then the applicantmay be sent an e-mail declining the application. If the applicationpasses the performance criteria then e-mail may be sent to the applicantaccepting the application (218). Once a guide application is acceptedthe applicant may enter guide training (220).

FIG. 4 may provide a detailed diagram of the guide training process.Guides may enter the guide training process at block (402). Here, guidesare assigned passwords and may be given access to the training system. Astandard work schedule may be assigned, the guide may be assigned to aclass, and a mentor may be assigned to the class at block (406). Theguide applicant may be given the full template downloads to beginconstructing their sites and following the training schedule (404).Standard e-mail messages may be sent to properly inform the guides oftheir responsibilities (408). The guide applicant may begin to constructtheir sites and receive assistance from the mentor (410). The guideapplicant may view special sites built for trainees (412) and e-mailquestions to the mentor (414). The system may track the applicant'sprogress through system checklists (416). The guide applicants may thenreceive feedback and instruction on their site construction in thementoring and monitoring phase of training (418). Guide applicants maybe scheduled to participate in on-line chat groups on scheduled topics(420). Guide applicants may also log on on-line bulletin boards toretrieve FAQs and the like to assist the guides with site construction.Once a guide completes the template HTML documents and successfullysubmits them to the CHEWY process, described above (428), guideperformance may be evaluated against the performance of other guides(430). If the guide has produced an acceptable site then the site isaccepted and transferred to the live site (436). If a guide continues tounsatisfactorily perform, then the guide is sent a thank you anddismissed (434). Guides that produce promising sites may be sent backfor more training (402).

FIG. 4A may also provide an application processing system and mentoringsystem for the collaborative data mining system. Here, a potentialapplicant may download an application from a web site or HyperText linkfrom the Internet (450). The applicant may receive a web page or a filedownload by FTP or other conventional file transfer means that containsthe application materials. Once the applicant receives the application,the applicant may provide the application details and submit theapplication to the collaborative data mining system. Once theapplication is received by the collaborative data mining system, thedata may be entered manually or automatically into a database (452). Theapplication may then be reviewed either automatically or throughintervention to determine whether the application fits into the taxonomyof the collaborative data mining system (454). The taxonomy of thecollaborative data mining system is the structure of the universe ofdata or topics sponsored by the system, e.g., the genus and species ofthe topics supported. If the application does not fit into the taxonomythe application may be rejected (456). If the application does fit intothe taxonomy then the application may be reviewed (458). If theapplication is accepted, applications may be judged by predeterminedcriteria as described above, and if appropriate the applicant isassigned to a class (460). If the application is rejected, a rejectionletter or e-mail may be sent to the applicant (456). Once an applicanthas been accepted for training by the network, the site may be marked asnot available for further applications (462). This step may encouragethe applicant to complete the guide training process. After anapplication is accepted a welcome letter or e-mail may be sent to theapplicant (464). The welcome letter or e-mail may contain an address forthe training cite and a password and user identification. The guideapplicant may now be called an "affiliate" by the network and may beginbuilding a site with the template and collaborative techniques describedherein (466). If the affiliate fails or quits the process at thisjuncture, the system may automatically or through intervention note thatthe site is again available for applications (468). Hopefully, however,the affiliate will successfully complete the guide training process andproceed to graduation from the training process (470).

FIG. 5A may provide a block diagram of the functions the system mayperform at the graduation of a guide. Initially, the guide is eitherrecommended for graduation by the mentor and/or the editor (350). If aguide is not recommended for graduation, the affiliate may be terminatedand the database updated to show the availability of this site topic(352). A termination letter or termination e-mail may be sent at thisstep (352). If a guide is graduated from the training process severalsteps may occur within the system. First, a contract may be sent to theaffiliate which may provide the terms and conditions of the relationshipwith the system (352). Second, art may be created and uploaded onto thesystem that may be necessary to support the affiliate (356). Third,keywords and description files for the search and/or support for thesite may be created (358). Finally, a photo of the affiliate may beinput into the system to provide a picture of the guide to the system'susers (360). After these steps are performed, the network may providethe site for a final quality control check by the mentor and/or theeditor (362). The quality control check may include the automated sitechecking process described herein. After the quality control check, thesite may be subject to a final edit and review by the hub editor (364).The hub editor may be assigned with editorial responsibility for aspecific genus of topics and related topical sites on the system. Thesystem may then promote the site to the production server, create a DNSentry and set permissions for the chat room, bulletin board and mail boxsubsystems (366). The site may be entered in the navigation system forthe collaborative data mining system so that users may navigate to thesite from within the network (368). Finally, a welcome letter may besent to the guide (370).

The application processing, guide training, and the collaborative datamining system in general may be monitored and controlled by the ATMSsystem. FIG. 13 may provide the main screen of an ATMS system for acollaborative data mining system (1000). The main screen may provide astatus bar to show the status of the system database (1001). In general,the ATMS main screen may be divided into the following logicalcomponents: Initial site setup (1002) which may include the subtopics toadd a site, modify a site and build the taxonomy of the collaborativedata mining system; Site Management (1004) which may include subtopicsto update related tables, display a site, and miscellaneous functions;Applications (1006) which may include subtopics such as adding anapplication or modifying a guide application; Management (1008) whichmay include subtopics to assign classes, modify accounts, graduateguides and distribute and/or modify contracts; Systems Management (1012)which may include subtopics to access a manual META filemaker, access amanual META modifier, access a manual navigation filemaker, a keyworddescription creator, a global ASA creator and access automatedprocesses; Reporting (1014) which may include subtopics to provide asite parameter snapshot and provide boards, chat and/or newslettersnapshots and; Additional (1010) which may include a subtopic to recycleaccounts.

FIG. 13B may provide a diagram for adding a site to the collaborativedata mining network taxonomy (1016). The template may include the nameof the hub on the network (1018). The hub may provide a first horizontaldivision of the topical taxonomy. Within the hub a further delineationof the structure may be made with the section name (1020). The structuremay in turn may be further delineated into the exact site name (1024). Adata field may be provided to indicate the character site identification(1024) and the site navigation name (1026). The "live" data field mayprovide a "radio" button indication of the status of the site (1028).Site status indications may include whether the site is live and active,whether there is no interest in adding such a site to the taxonomy,whether the site topic is interesting, whether the site has beeneliminated "X" from the taxonomy, and whether the site is active "A" anda guide is in training. A data field may be provided that indicateswhether the site has a newsletter (1030), a chat room (1032), a bulletinboard (1034) and/or classified adds (1036). A data field may indicatewhether the site has disclaimers such as legal, medical, financialand/or official game. A final data field may be provided that indicateswhether a copyright notice is on the site (1040). The add new sitefunction may include a submit query bar (1042) to submit a query to thenetwork. A reset function may be included to reset the form (1044).

FIG. 13C may provide a diagram of the functions that may be used tomodify a site on the collaborative data mining system (1046). Thefunctionality of the modify a site control may be similar to the add asite control described above. The modify site control may include a hubdata field (1048), a section name data field (1050) and an exact sitedata field (1054). A data field for the site navigation name may beprovided (1056). A data field with radio buttons to indicate the statusof the site may be provided (1058) as described herein. Data fields maybe provided to indicate and/or modify whether the site has a newsletter(1060), a chat room (1062), boards (1064) and/or classified advertising(1066). A data field may be provided to indicate and/or modify the sitesdisclaimers such as legal, medical, financial and/or official game(1068). A data field may be included to indicate and/or modify whetherthe cite has a copyright notice (1070). A data field may be provided toindicate whether the site maintains a Citibank™ profile (1072) andwhether the site has business listings (1074). The custom profilefeature such as the profiles in (1072) and/or (1074) may direct acollaborative data mining system to specifically "brand" the site oradvertise on the site with the designated profile. The present inventionmay contain profiles for a plurality of customer profiles to createvirtual collaborative data mining networks or subnetworks within alarger collaborative data mining network. The modify site menu may havea submit query function that may also modify the data entry (1076). Andfinally, the modify site menu may have a reset button to reset the menu(1078).

FIG. 13D may provide a guide management function to add an application(1080). This guide management function may be used to add a new guideapplication to the system described herein to begin the guide trainingprocess. For example, the guide management system may provide an "AirTravel" site application (1082). The site application may provide ausername data field (1084) to receive a user name. A date field may beprovided to receive or provide the current date (1086). Data fields forthe title (1088), first name (1090), last name (1092), legal first name(1094), legal last name (1098) and e-mail address (1098) may be includedto receive information about the applicant may be included. Data fieldsmay be provided for a secondary e-mail address (1100), an addresses lineone (1102), an address line two (1104), a city data line (1106), a statedata line (1108), a zip code (1110), country (1112) and telephoneinformation (1114). A data field may be provided to indicate whatoperating system the guide uses and/or intends to use (1116). A datafield may be provided to track when the application was received (1120)and when and if the application was rejected (1122). The status of theapplication may be tracked with a pull down data field (1124). A datafield may track whether the applicant was a referral and by whom theapplicant was referred (1126). A referrer name data field may also beprovided to track the name of a referrer (1128). A data text field maybe provided to receive general comments on the guide application (1130).The add application menu may provide a submit function button (1132) tosubmit the application to the system and a reset button (1134) to resetthe guide application screen.

FIG. 13E may provide a guide application modification menu to modify thedata or status of a guide application. The guide modification menutracks the add guide menu described above in FIG. 13D and itsdescription is incorporated herein.

FIG. 13F may provide a means for assigning guides to classes for guidetraining (1136). A data menu may be provided (1138) to move accountsfrom an un-assigned status to an assigned status. A data field may beprovided to list un-assigned accounts (1140). Function buttons may beprovided to move accounts to an assigned status (1144) and assignedaccount back to an un-assigned status (1146). A data field may beprovided to list assigned accounts (1142). A class name pull down menumay be provided to select a class name (1148). A due date data field maybe provided to indicate a due date for the class (1150). A pull downmenu may be provided to select a peer mentor (1152) and a pull down menumay be provided to select an assistant editor (1154) for the class. Afunction button may be provided to submit the form for data entry(1156). The class assignment menu may function by highlighting a list ofaccounts from the un-assigned data field (1140) and clicking the addfunction button (1144) to move the highlighted accounts to the assignedaccounts data list. Once accounts are in the assigned data field, a usermay assign a peer mentor and editor to the class. When the submitfunction button (1156) is pressed the ATMS may create a new class forthe guide training program described herein.

FIG. 13G may provide a guide management function for tracking andmodifying the guide accounts on a collaborative data mining system. Anaccount tracking and modification menu may be provided (1158) to trackand/or modify each guide in the network. The account tracking menu mayprovide identification information such as a tracking number (1160), auser name data field (1162), a current date data field (1164) a sitename data field (1165), a title data field (1166) and guide informationsuch as the first name (1168), the last name (1170), e-mail address(1172), a secondary e-mail address (1174) and a telephone number (1176).Data fields may be provided to include a class name (1178), class mentor(1180) and/or peer mentor (1181). Data fields may be provided to trackand/or schedule the guide's progress through the development processsuch as a due date field (1182), a review date field (1184), an activedate field (1186), a graduation date field (1188) and a termination datefield (if any) (1190). A pull down menu may be provided to indicate thereason (if any) a guide was terminated (1192). A pull down menu may beprovided to indicate the application status (1194) and whether there isany reason the application is on hold (1196). Data fields may beprovided to track the dates for the system's review such as the finalquality control date (1198), the final edit date (1200), the finalreview date (1202), the hold date (1204) and the promotion date (if any)(1206). Data fields may also be provided to track when a contract wassent out to the guide (1208) and whether the contract was sent back(1210). Radio button type data fields may be provided to indicatewhether a photograph has been received (1212), whether the navigationallinks for the site are in place (1214) and whether the art for the siteis ready for deployment (1215). FIG. 13H may provide additional datafields for the guide management account tracking and/or modificationsystem. Text data fields may be provided to receive mentor comments(1138), editor comments (1140) and general comments (1142) about theguide and/or the account. In general, the functionality provided in thismenu provides a means for tracking the guide's and a site's progressthrough the mentoring system. The menu provides a function button (1222)to submit and/or track the relevant data in the network. The system alsoprovides a reset button (1224) to reset the data menu.

FIG. 13I may provide a means for guide management for affiliategraduations (1226). This tracking and status menu may provideidentification information like that described above and incorporatedherein, to identify the guide, the class and other appropriateinformation as described above. In this example, the guide has beenplaced on hold and the reasons therefore are indicated in the holdreasons data field (1232). The example also shows text information thatmore specifically describes the status in the mentor comments data textfield (1334). This guide management function provides the submitfunction button (1228) and the reset function button (1230) to submitand/or reset the function respectively.

FIG. 13J provides a means for tracking and managing the details on theparticular contract with each guide in the network. A guide managementmenu may be provided for managing and tracking guide contracts (1340).The contract management menu may provide a data field for the guideidentification number assigned by the system (1342), a guide username(1344) and the current date (1346). Data fields may be provided foridentifying the guide such as the guide's first name (1348), last name(1350), legal first name (1352), legal last name (1354), e-mail address(1356) and secondary e-mail address (1358). A data field may be providedto identify the exact site name (1360) as well as historical informationsuch as when the application was received (1362). A data field may beprovided to identify a contract number (1364) and whether the associateagreement has been sent out (1366) and whether the associate agreementhas been received back (1372). Data fields may be provided to identify alicense (1374) and the payout amount for the guide's services (1376). Adata text field may be provided to note any contract addendum(s) (1378)and general comments (1380). The guide management function also providedata fields to note a termination date (1382) and a reason for thetermination (1384). This guide management function may also provide asubmit function key to submit and/or track data (1386). A reset buttonis also provided to reset the data form (1388).

The Quality Control Process

The quality control process of the present invention may be used toautomatically check the quality of web sites that are managed by thecollaborative data mining system. Thus, the data mining system of thepresent invention has taken what was once a subjective human-resourceintensive process and refined it to a checklist that may be completed in20 minutes per site. This degree of refinement, as well as the technicalenhancements for e-mail and tracking allows the present invention toensure quality across the whole network by allowing the system to checkall sites biweekly.

FIG. 5 provides a detailed diagram of a quality control process that maybe used by system element (24). The quality control process may beginwith a list of the live sites maintained by the network (302). Thequality criteria of the sites may used to create a predetermined qualitycontrol checklist (304) and (306). The quality control process mayperform spot checks (308) of the list of the web sites maintained by thesystem. The quality control process may use a software routine toautomatically check a site for dead links that reference other web pages(310). The quality control process may use a software routine to checkwhen the site was last updated to assure that the guide is activelyparticipating (312) in the network. The quality control process also maycheck for feedback from other web users (314). From these qualitycontrol subroutines a list of action items may be generated for theguides (316). After a predetermined time, the sites may be re-evaluatedto check for compliance (318) with the list of action items generatedabove (316). The quality control process may also maintain aconfidential or public on-line forum for peer review (320). The totalquality control scoring and tracking of the number of "hits" may be usedto adjust the financial compensation for the guide (324).

The Frame System

FIG. 6 provides a detailed diagram of the frame system. The frame systemassures that the proper frame set is displayed at the end user's webbrowser no matter how that user entered into the network of sites in thecollaborative data mining system. More specifically, a page may arriveat a web browser (502). At that time, embedded java script code may beexecuted to query the "frames" object. If the frames object is greaterthan one then the java script may ask the object for the name of framenumber one. If the name of frame number one designates a predeterminedframe then the system knows the appropriate banner is already displayed(508) and the frame system does nothing more (506). If, however, thename of the frame is not the predetermined frame (510) then the systemdynamically builds the frame set for the requested page (512). The framesystem may then pass the frame set and appropriate data to the browserwhere the browser can process the frame set and cause the appropriatebanner and page data display (514). The frame system may then exit(516).

FIG. 6A may depict the collaborative guide system of the presentinvention processing links from third party web pages. In processinglinks from third party web sites, the present invention's collaborativepage generator system can customize the taxonomy of the system andco-brand the generated web pages. The system may co-brand generated webpages by displaying the third party's brand logo, color scheme ordistinctive mark(s) or trade dress and by limiting the advertisingdisplayed on the page. For example, the collaborative system may beprogrammed to filter out advertisements from the third party's directcompetitors when the collaborative system generates pages within theco-branded taxonomy. Furthermore, the system may be programmed to filteradvertisements and the taxonomy that the third party findsobjectionable, e.g., links to competitors sites, links to sites thatcontains sexual content and the system's taxonomy that contains sexualcontent and/or any other taxonomy restrictions.

The restrictions to the collaborative system taxonomy may, in effect,create a virtual taxonomy for each third party supported by the system.For example, a third party internet site may wish to provide links toinformation available on the collaborative system of the presentinvention. However, they may find the discussion in the health sectionof the collaborative taxonomy and, more specifically, the section on sexwithin the health section to be objectionable and not wish thatinformation to be displayed or affiliated with the co-branded web pages.In another instance, the third party may wish to restrict the taxonomyto only business and financial related sites and exclude all other sitesin the collaborative taxonomy.

FIG. 6A shows a methodology whereby the taxonomy of the presentinvention can be modified to allow a user who accesses the collaborativeguide system through the third party link to receive a customizedtaxonomy while maintaining the ability to navigate the customizedtaxonomy of the collaborative guide system.

Block (520) may represent a web link on a third party web service to thecollaborative system. Such a link may be generated in a response to asearch request or through the third party placing a link on the site tothe collaborative guide system of the present invention. This link maypoint to a predetermined URL for entry into the collaborative system,e.g., the virtual taxonomy of the collaborative system (522). Apredetermined URL may be created for each third party account.

A script file or executable program may be located at the predeterminedURL. The script or executable program may set a parameter (or a cookie)at the participant's web browser to denote a predetermined profile thatmay identify the third party site as the point of entry to the system.The programming of the parameter or the cookie may be performed atlogical step (524).

After the cookie or parameter is set (524), the script or executableprogram located at the predetermined URL (522) may redirect the URLrequest into the collaborative web system (526). The redirection maypoint to the URL within the taxonomy of the collaborative guide system.The URL re-direct may pass an argument on the URL redirect command (528)that indicates the profile for the third party web service should beemployed by the system.

A "standard" collaborative web page from the system (530) may begenerated by employing the argument passed from the redirect command526. It is understood that the information passed in the argument may belocated within the cookie set above (524) or be embedded in the URLredirection.

The collaborative guide system may then generate a response to therequest for the web page (532) as generally shown in FIG. 8 of thepresent invention. However, the generation program may use the passedargument(s) (528) or the value set in the cookie (524) to generate anappropriate web page and/or taxonomy. Such a web page may display ataxonomy that excludes objectionable or otherwise undesired sites.

The collaborative guide system may generate virtual advertisements (524)with the arguments from either the cookie (524) or the passedargument(s) (528). Furthermore, the collaborative system may generateweb pages by using the global information available, see FIG. 8, thatcontains the logos, trade dress, color scheme and the like to co-brandthe page web for the third party identified in the passed parameter orthe pre-set cookie. Thus, by using the collaborative techniquesdescribed herein, in combination with additional information thatidentifies the third party, the present invention may create a virtualtaxonomy tailored to the needs of the third party.

FIG. 8 may depict the generic structure employed by the featuresdiscussed above in FIG. 6A. A URL request may enter the system (702) andpass to the URL filter (704) which in turn may be directed to FIG. 6.The collaborative URL page generator (708) may use the URL filter togenerate the URL response generated in part from the modified templatesfrom the guides (710) and the advertising database (711). Finalizedguide templates, as discussed above, may pull in information from theglobal HTML files (706) to generate the URL response (714).

FIG. 7 may depict a very simple frame based data format. The bannerframe is shown (602) above the content frame (604). In the typicalapplication, the banner frame provides the branded look and feel to theweb site and the content frame (604) provides the topical content.

Thus, the present invention provides a means for creating, managing,maintaining and automating a collaborative data mining system. Thisdisclosure provides an exemplary disclosure of this system and otherways to implement and/or modify the execution of the present inventionare within both the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Therefore, we claim:
 1. A method for automated management of acollaborative internet guide system comprising:providing a first filesystem containing global information for insertion into HTML pagesgenerated by said collaborative internet guide system; receiving from atleast one internet guide information content for a web page to becombined with the global information to generate a complete HTML page;generating one or more HTML pages by combining said global informationfrom said first file system with information provided by said at leastone internet guide; restricting internet access to said HTML pagesgenerated by said combination of said global information from said firstfile system and said information provided by said at least one internetguide, said restricted internet access controlled by a data field in adata record on a computer database; and modifying a record of apredetermined taxonomy of topics on said collaborative internet guidesystem to indicate whether applications to become an internet guide arebeing accepted for a particular topic.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising:modifying said data field in said data record on a computerdatabase with a graphical user interface program, said modification tosaid data record allowing internet access to said web page generated bysaid combination of said information from said first file system andinformation provided by said at least one internet guide on said HTMLtemplate.
 3. A management system for a collaborative internet guide website comprising:a graphical user interface program executing on acomputer associated with said collaborative internet guide system, saidgraphical user interface program providing access to a database thatcontrols the access to web pages on said collaborative internet guideweb site by internet participants; said graphical user interface programfurther providing access to said database to selectively grant access toweb pages on said collaborative internet guide system to a particularinternet guide; said graphical user interface program providing accessto said database to track and manage said guide system with selectionsfrom the group consisting essentially of: whether a web site to aparticular topic is active on said collaborative internet guide system;whether there is interest in adding an identified topic to saidcollaborative internet guide taxonomy; whether there is no interest inadding an identified topic to said collaborative internet guidetaxonomy; whether an identified site has been eliminated from saidcollaborative internet guide taxonomy; and whether an identified site isactive and an internet guide is training.
 4. An apparatus for managing acollaborative internet guide system comprising:an automated managementcomponent providing computer means for controlling access to informationon said collaborative internet guide system; a collaborative pagegenerator component providing means for generating pages from templateforms and global information, said collaborative page generatorcomponent responding to predetermined codes in said template forms byinserting global information into said generated web pages, saidautomated management component controlling the access to said generatedweb pages; and access control means for authorizing access to saidgenerated HTML pages to a predetermined internet guide trainer to enablethe trainer to qualitatively evaluate said generated web pages toprovide a subjective review of said internet guides' performance.
 5. Anautomated method for training personnel on the use of a template basedHTML page generator system comprising:providing at least one HTMLtemplates to at least one internet guide, said HTML template containingpredetermined data codes that subsequently point to global informationat said HTML page generator system; receiving modified HTML templatepages from said at least one internet guide, said internet guideproviding information content in said HTML template; generating webpages by combining said modified HTML template pages with said globalinformation at said HTML page generator system; restricting access tosaid generated web pages to said internet guide to allow said internetguide to view said generated pages; receiving modified HTML templatepages from said at least one internet guide, said internet guideproviding information content in said HTML template in response to saidgenerated HTML pages; generating HTML pages by combining said modifiedHTML pages with said global information at said HTML page generatorsystem; authorizing access to said HTML page generator system to allowinternet participants to request generation of said web pages;authorizing access to said generated HTML pages to a predeterminedinternet guide trainer; and qualitatively evaluating said generated webpages to provide a subjective review of said internet guidesperformance.
 6. An apparatus for managing a collaborative internet guidesystem comprising:an automated training and management system; anapplication processing system operationally connected to said automatedtraining and management system, said automated training and managementsystem providing a user interface to indicate the status of acollaborative internet guide in training; a mass monitoring systemoperationally connected to said automated training and managementsystem, said mass monitoring system providing a communication tool forcommunication between a prospective internet guide and a guide mentor; aguide authoring system operationally connected to said automatedtraining and management system, said guide authoring system providingpredetermined HTML page templates which form the basis for collaborativeinternet HTML pages; and a collaborative web page generator systemoperationally connected to said automated training and managementsystem, said collaborative web page generator system combining said HTMLtemplates with global information to create collaborative internet HTMLpages; said automated training and management system controlling throughdatabase entry on a storage device the access to collaborative internetHTML pages.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said automated trainingand management system provide a graphical user interface to an operatorof said collaborative internet guide system, said graphical userinterface providing information on the access of collaborative HTML webpages.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 comprising:an internet connectionoperationally connected to said collaborative page generator system; andsaid automated training and management system controlling throughdatabase entry whether a particular collaborative page can be viewed byinternet participants.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein saidautomated training and management system provides a graphical userinterface to control the taxonomy of said collaborative internet guidesystem.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said automated training andmanagement system provides a graphical user interface to control thegeneration of predetermined information on said web pages.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10 wherein said predetermined information is an HTMLframe that provides a brand look and feel.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10wherein said predetermined information provides a predetermined subjectmatter color scheme that correspond with the collaborative internetsystem taxonomy.
 13. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said automatedtraining and management system provides a graphical user interface tocontrol the generation of hypertext links on HTML pages generated bysaid collaborative page generator system.
 14. An automated method fortraining an internet guide on the use of a collaborative internet guidesystem comprising:transferring at least one predetermined HTML templatefrom a collaborative internet guide system to a prospective internetguide assigning said prospective guide to a subject area in apredetermined taxonomy of subjects that organize information on saidcollaborative internet guide system; receiving an HTML template fromsaid prospective guide that includes information input by saidprospective guide; combining said HTML template received from saidprospective internet guide with information from a first file system,said first file system containing information for an internet frame thatplaces the generated HTML page into said predetermined taxonomy ofsubjects for said collaborative internet guide system; receivingcomments on the quality of said combined HTML page from a guide trainer;and transferring said comments from said guide trainer to said at leastone internet guide via electronic transmission.
 15. A method fortraining internet guides on the use of a collaborative internet guidesystem comprising:providing a data template to at least one perspectiveinternet guide, said data template for use with said collaborative guidesystem; receiving a modified template from said at least one perspectiveinternet guide, said modified template containing information input bysaid at least one perspective internet guide; processing said modifiedtemplate from said at least one perspective internet guide to generate apresentation format, said presentation format interacting with anapplication program to provide information to an internet participantabout information available on the internet; providing feedback to saidat least one perspective internet guide, said feedback based at least inpart by a review of said presentation format from said step ofprocessing; evaluating said at least one perspective internet guide,said evaluation based at least in part on information from saidpresentation format from said step of processing; and designating accessto said collaborative internet guide for said at least one perspectiveinternet guide based at least in part on the results from said step ofevaluating said presentation format from said step of processing, saiddesignation of access determining whether said presentation format fromsaid step of processing may be accessed by internet participants. 16.The method of claim 15 wherein said presentation format is in thehyper-text markup language.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein said stepof processing further comprises:accessing global information on saidcollaborative internet guide system, said global information formingsaid presentation format in combination with information from said atleast one perspective internet guide stored on said modified datatemplate from said step of receiving.